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The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) issued a strong statement on Saturday, July 12 condemning media speculation surrounding the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash, specifically denouncing unfounded insinuations of pilot suicide. The association described such speculation as “irresponsible” and “deeply insensitive” in the absence of any verified evidence.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, killing at least 260 people. A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 11 indicated that both engines lost thrust just 32 seconds into the flight after the fuel control switches were inexplicably moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’.
In the wake of the report and a related story published in The Wall Street Journal, sections of the media began speculating about the possibility of pilot suicide. The ICPA has categorically rejected these narratives.
“Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage,” the ICPA stated. “Invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible, it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved.”
The association also added that commercial pilots undergo rigorous psychological, professional, and safety protocols, warning that careless allegations could harm public trust and the dignity of aviation professionals. “Pilots undergo extensive psychological and professional screening, recurrent training, and operate under the highest standards of safety, responsibility, and mental fitness,” the bulletin said.
Backing the investigation process, ICPA urged media outlets and commentators to wait for the official findings. “Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation, especially of such a grave nature, is unacceptable and must be condemned.”
The ICPA’s statement follows similar criticism by the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-I), which had earlier slammed the AAIB for leaking an unsigned preliminary report and accused it of a “presumption of pilot guilt.” ALPA-I President Captain Sam Thomas questioned how sensitive information had appeared in international media and criticised the exclusion of qualified pilots from the investigation team.
The AAIB report cited a 2018 FAA advisory about potential disengagement of the fuel switch lock, raising concerns over Air India’s adherence to that bulletin. The pilots’ unions maintain that the crash may involve mechanical failures and that premature conclusions are damaging to the integrity of the investigation.
“The crew of AI171 acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions,” the ICPA stressed. “They deserve support, not vilification based on conjecture.”